The Long Road from Perdition - Almost Set to PRINT

Days like today is always a proud day for an author.  The manuscript you've been laboring over, staying up until all hours of the night rewriting, thinking about, wondering about it's success...is finally done.

Having said that, the easy part is over.  What?  The easy part?  Hell yes.  Now the marketing, promotion and social networking must be in full throttle.  What I've been doing with this blog was only a warm up.  So, now that the novel will soon be out, you'll be hearing alot more from me.

I dare say, I think this is the only novel ever to take place in the GT (Golden Triangle of SE Texas).  You know, Groves, Port Arthur, Beaumont and the like.  It's about time, really.  I've always felt this area deserved some notariety for something other than the rich musical heritage.

I worked hard on this novel.  Now it's YOUR turn to tell me if you like it.  Here's a short synopsis on the back book cover:

Young Nicholas witnesses a horrifying scene leaving him emotionally broken only to discover, “The scars you can't see are the hardest to heal.”

Nicholas Fontenot is a precocious yet sensitive teenager who lives in an abusive home with his family. After witnessing a horrifying scene, his world is torn apart and leaves him emotionally broken. As the only witness of a grizzly crime, he is shuffled through the Foster Care system until he escapes his life of misery and abuse. Through his journey, Nicholas meets a kindred spirit in Charley, a drag queen and owner of an off the beaten path gay bar in New Orleans.  A host of colorful characters within this bar become Nicholas’ extended family.   Yet, his troubled past continues to haunt him until he is forced to leave the only happy home he has ever known .   His struggles give new meaning and insight to the thought; “The scars you can't see are the hardest to heal.” His journey is a long one, but his travels to find peace is even longer. It is through his journey that he discovers "The Long Road from Perdition." 

Well?

So, What was it like growing up in Groves? (The City on the Grow)

I can tell you that I'm old enough that my generation grew up very different than the Gen Y'ers of today.  I know it's hard to believe Virginia; but there weren't computers in every home.  The only phones around were landlines.  No cell phones, smart phones, Droids, texting are anything else.

It was a much quieter time in Groves back in the early 60's and 70's.  Sometimes I think that's why more people in small towns branched out and moved to larger cities.  While technology wasn't exactly exploding back then, there was nightlife, clubs, restaurants and a host of other places and circumstances where you could pick your poison.

Meanwhile, kids rode their bikes or walked as a means of transportation.  There were basketball or football games in the park or someone's yard.  Once you left home in the mornings, your time was your own until reporting back to dinner at the end of the day.  If your Mom wanted to call you home, she simply stepped outside and yodeled your name which almost broke the sound barrier. There was more freedom without the technology.

It wasn't unusual to see kids reading a book on the front porch or just talking to friends that stopped by to say hello after riding their bikes to Jefferson City and back.

Today, I go to restaurants and notice people waiting in line, texting, phoning, Facebooking, Twittering and glancing at their watches impatiently.  It amazes me that their children are completely mesmerized by video games and can text without even looking at the number pad on their phones.  Why are we so fixated with technology all of the time?  I can tell you this; Swamp Witch, Sarah Jane Road and other tall tales would never be discovered if everyone had their nose buried in their Ipads, cells or other media device 100% of the time.

It was a slower time, back then.  But, it was also a better time too.

Glory Days on Gulfway Drive

My apologies for my extended absence from my blog.  I fell prey to the John Lennon adage, "Life happens while you're planning it."  I wonder if he realized his wisdom while he was alive? 

One thing I have noticed in my absence is that I discovered a group page on Facebook that has reunited the youth of the mid 70's in my neck of the woods.  Yes, there were teenagers galore that drove up and down Gulfway Drive in Port Arthur relentlessly in search of girls, guys, friends and any remnants of excitement they could discover.

I was one of those teenagers who "rode the drag" with my brother or with my friends searching for our next girlfriend.  At first, I wasn't impressed with the monotony of the endless back and forth cruising.  But, then again, we tuned into channel 5 on the CB radio.  Yes, the CB in those days was our mode of communication.  Think of CB's as the old "internet."

As I read the posts, I relived some of my glory days as I was catapulted back into 1976.  All of the old haunts were reminisced.  Lists of roamer of this road are listed to let others know who has left this world.  CB handles were displayed along side of their owners, revealing the person behind the persona.

I tell you, I've had the best time with this page.  Speaking of pages,  why not like mine?  Here's the link:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-JR-Stone/143787462351082.  In the meantime, I think I'll drink a Bud and listen to Boston's "More than a Feeling". 

Sigh, the good ole days.

Buddy, Can you Spare a Literary Agent?

It's no secret, I find writing novels to be a delicious experience.  However, after the last sentence is written, my brow often furrows because I know what's coming.  Reading my manuscript over and over to make sure it reads as I typed it, spellchecking, editing and tweaking.  All in the name of perfection.  Or, as close to it as I can get.

I find that process to be extremely draining as I am someone who likes to pass off the "detail" tasks to someone who thrives on proofreading and editing.  That's why I thrived as a ghostwriter in my earlier years; I would write the book and smile as I handed it off to a crackerjack editor who delved into the painstaking task of proofing and editing.  Writers, be kind to editors.  They are your friend and they earn every nickel they make!!!

This go around, I've decided to do the entire process myself.  I've written my query letter, an email intro of the book and myself and have even developed a spreadsheet of what agents I've queried.  I've just begun the literary agent process and it's just as much fun as everyone says it is (that's a sarcastic joke). 

All I have to do is query and do what drives me up the wall:  WAIT.

Growing up in the Golden Triangle

Greetings all, JR is busy tweaking his novel and working on promotion options (shhh, not supposed to tell you that). Anywho, he emailed me last evening and asked that I post something for you to read on the blog. Along with that email was an attachment, so without further adieu:

Everyone has memories of growing up in the town where they spent the majority of their youth. I have mostly bittersweet memories and I'm not sure if that is the case with everyone, but when you're an odd duck, it seems to be the norm. I wasn't most popular in school, I wasn't a "brain" or even a nerd. I was just somewhere in there amongst the crowd.

I did have a small group of like minded odd ducks that were friends of mine. That made all the difference in the world. I've heard others talk about growing up and the memories they hold and each of them are unique and resemble the type of town or city of their upbringing. To give you an idea of "My Golden Triangle" here are some one worded or phrase memories that I have:

~~~~

Pecan trees

Van Buren Elementary

Groves Jr High (formerly Woodlawn Jr High)

PN-G

Groves Golf Course

Leo & Willies

Drakes Drive-In

Drydens

Parkdale Mall

Lubys

Bruce's Supermarket

Refineries

Short Stop Convenience Store

West Groves Circle

Lamar University

Groves Kindergarten

Groves, Texas

More later regarding JR's novel, "The Long Road from Perdition"

What is it about Southeast Texas?

I've had professors tease me that only Blues singers come from this area, the rest o.d. and live their life as a memory held by others.  He was partly right.  There are ALOT of musicians from this area.  And, yes...most have a blues connection. 

I've already mentioned that Janis Joplin was our most famous resident but there are many others who have made a name for themselves.  There are also musical families that have passed the gift from father to sons and daughters to watch it glow in strength through the years.  If you grew up in the G-T area, you can only marvel at the number of talented artists that claim this area as home.  People in town use to joke that the musical bug was "in the water".  Maybe so, because there is a long list of the famous and not so famous.

Some of those artists are:  Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter, The Big Bopper, Harry James, Barbara Lynn Ozen, Blind Willie Johnson, Johnny Preston, ZZ Top, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Clay Walker, Mark Chesnutt, Wayne Toups, Jivin' Gene, George Jones, Tex Ritter, Tracy Byrd, Don (It's 5'o'clock Somewhere) Rollins, Becky Barksdale, Lisa Locke, Johnny Piggott and of course Janis Joplin.  That's just a short list.

There is something about living in this area that gives you a feel for living life in the fast lane.  It's the type of feel I tried to instill in Nicholas Fontenot's character in "The Long Road from Perdition".  Let's face it, ya gotta be tough to live in the South. 

Have a question about life here in Southeast Texas?  My new novel?  Drop me a line.  I'd love to hear from you.  I think I may listen to a little ZZ Top or maybe Edgar Winter.  Here in Texas, we just call'em neighbor.

JR Stone

Title and Look have Changed - The Story Hasn't

Call it a writer's prerogative.  After conferring with my trusted confidante', Elaine; she has convinced me to rename the novel "The Long Road from Perdition".  Truthfully, it fits the story more accurately. 

And, the cover for the last title, seemed....well, too "bright".  I was happy with it and not happy with it.  So, after creating just the right look, I think I'm satisfied.  But, the proof is in the pudding.  What do YOU think?  Take a look at the two covers and let me know if you think I made the right decision.

It all depends on which cover will entice you to read the novel.  I'm betting on the latest one.

Let me know your thoughts.



Authonomy

For those of you not familiar with the website "Authonomy," it's a novelist's delight.  Imagine wordsmiths from all over the world reading your novel and offering useful and valuable critiques in order to polish your book to it's best.  That is what authonomy does.  It's also a U.K. sister site of Harper Collins Publishers with the highest ranked books via the critquers submitted to the editor for possible publication!

I've been blessed to receive some incredible comments and thought I would whet your appetite for "The Long Road to Extradition" :
"Once Nick went into solitary, your text became claustrophobic, paranoid, and you weren't afraid of brevity, which I think helped keep your pacing up. I usually like to give feedback, but I think you accomplished exactly what you set out to do."

"Is all of this fiction? You manage to portray your characters in such a real way, I have to wonder. Very talented writer with the ability to sustain interest in the reader. Happy to have backed it and best with it. "

"Your protagonist Nick tells us of the hell he found himself in and his journey from the lowest point in his life. The events of his thirteenth birthday are unfolded slowly, experienced and understood by the reader as if we were psychiatrists teasing out the back story of a young man suffering from extreme post traumatic stress disorder. Your pitch readies us for this disturbing, dark read full of misery and abuse. The way Nick is dealt with by the authorities/system is reminiscient of Ken Keseys brilliant 'One flew over the cuckoos nest' where the main protagonist is more sane than the world and the system around him."                                                                   

"Wow. I'm four chapters in and I really feel for Nick. You've paid a lot of attention to the dialogue so far and it shows - there's a lot of it here but it's really well done and flows perfectly with Nick's thoughts and the actions of those around him. This is a great book so far. "

The novel should be published soon.  When it is, YOU will be the first to know!  Feel free to drop me a line at JRStone@aol.com .  DON'T FORGET TO "LIKE" ME on my FACEBOOK PAGE!

Being an Odd Duck in Beaumont, Texas

Post from JR's notes-

In "The Long Road to Extradition," part of the plot involves Nicholas discovering his sexuality and falling in love. In the time reference of the book, being gay was still a very difficult subject for a small town to embrace of it's citizens. In fact, it could be downright dangerous. While the gay community has made tremendous strides in equal rights, there is obviously still alot of work to do.

There is a reason I portrayed the MC, Nicholas as gay. In order to realize the full meaning, you'll have to read the book! But, for the sake of this post, for those of you not familiar with being gay in a small town back in the late 70's or not knowing anyone that is gay, I will try to describe what it was like.

When I was a young lad, I was blessed with having alot of gay friends. Through their eyes, I was able to experience if just for a bit, the moments of fun, camaraderie, homophobia from others, violence and day to day life as a gay teen. During my teen years, I was taken to my first gay bar, "The Copa" in Beaumont, Texas. It was located in downtown Beaumont on Orleans street and was fraught with all the things taboo that teenagers shouldn't see or do.

I haven't been back to that club in years, but my first outing as it were included my friends taking me to this building hiding in the blanket of night for an experience I'll never forget. There wasn't a door or doorman outside. Too dangerous. Instead, those who had been to the club previously, knew precisely where to push on this wall outside the club that would lead to an entryway inside. Call it the secret handshake or secret entry, in any event. Once I entered that door, I saw a great deal more than a room full of homosexuals. I entered their world of being less than. And, the injustice has stayed with me since.

The smoky, forbidden rite of passage led me more to than just observing a world I never knew existed; it also reinforced to me that being an odd duck isn't so bad. Not even in Beaumont, Texas.

Have You Ever Been to the "Golden Triangle?"

Since my novel is set in Groves and Beaumont, Texas, I thought I would introduce you to my hometown.  People from this area call it the "G-T," short for Golden Triangle.  The reason why is pretty simple, the areas that are listed together as a community form the shape of a triangle if you were to look on a map (Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange).  Some of the better known areas are:  Beaumont and Port Arthur. 

Beaumont has really grown since I was a kid.  I remember back in the day when it had the first indoor mall, (Parkdale Mall).  Port Arthur is famous because of it's former resident:  Janis Joplin.  This area, or the "G-T" is roughly 90 miles southeast of Houston, Texas.  If you were to travel from Houston on I-10 to Port Arthur, the first thing you would notice would be the oil refineries.  From a distance, it looks pretty in the night, but during the light of day, you can see the work that these refineries actually do.  Constant puffs of smoke producing the retched fumes they produce is enough to make you gag at times. 

That's what I remember about the G-T.  The sound of the ocean, seagulls squaking, the smell of rotten eggs from the oil gases, high school football and the weather.  The hottest weather you can imagine.  Remember, you are spitting distance from the Gulf of Mexico.  Imagine getting up in the morning and taking a shower, dressing and step outside.  Standing outside for less than 1 minute can reduce your efforts of getting clean and fresh to nill.  The hair will be saturated with sweat, the bottom of your sneakers will start to melt (literally) and your shirt will have unsightly sweat stains.  The heat is unbelievable.  In fact, as Neil Simon once aptly said about another region as hot as this one; "This is hot.  Africa hot." 

So there you are, the G-T is a forever small town incapsulated in the growth of modern day southeast Texas.  Small town in every way; friendliness, attitude, politics and some might say small minded with regard to diversity.  Every town has their blemishes and it's an important part of Nicholas's problems in "The Long Road to Extradition."  Read about the G-T HERE.

JR-

How Does Writing a Novel Begin?

After I got this gig writing for JR, I sent him a list of questions I had regarding his book. In order to give you a "behind the scenes" look at this novel, I thought I would delve into his emails and discuss that very topic with him.

Question: How did you come to write this novel? What was the first thing that got you to thinking about this plot line?

Answer: I don't know if other authors do this or not, but when I create characters, I try to create a unique human being in my mind's eye. Covering everything from physical traits to clothing they would wear, verbal slang, music they like and so on.

I was in my car one day running some errands. I had Jonny Lang's CD, "Wander This World" playing and was listening to the title track. The lyrics paint a picture of a man that feels alone and is homeless. Exhausted both physically, emotionally and hope in short supply. I began to "see" a character in my mind's eye that would feel this way. I could literally envision the character, Nicholas Fontenot walking in time with this song on the streets somewhere in middle America. Feeling desperate and tormented. That's when the creative juices start flowing.

I think the lyric that grabbed me most in that song was, "Even God has lost track of my soul." It's a very lonely, hopeless feeling to really feel that way. The story of "The Long Road to Extradition" was born from that song.

My hat's off to Jonny Lang. He introduced me to Nicholas Fontenot.

~~~~~~~

I encourage readers to listen to this song. It's very interesting to see how JR crafted a novel from this song. The links provided for Jonny Lang's music is a free listen.

Til Next Time-

The Freelance Writer

Welcome to Author JR Stone's Blog

You were thinking that JR would be writing his own blog?  Nah, that would be left to a freelancer such as myself.  It's not that he's beneath the idea of writing his own blog, it's just that...well, he's a recluse and doesn't find that much about himself to be interesting.  I, on the other hand am a freelance writer and can find something interesting about ketchup if that is what the job requires.  So, when I was contacted by his management, I thought I would go for the job since I need to pay my electric bill. 

I thought that I would be meeting JR Stone either via phone or email at least but I thought wrong.  Instead, I was given a copy of his latest novel to read that is about to go to print.  In this "interview process" I was to read the novel and tell his management truthfully what I thought about it.  Okay, you get my dilemma.  I'm all about being supportive to other writers but by the same token, I wanted this gig.  I thought it would be interesting to offer my insight regarding this writer that no one seems to know but yet they do. 

So, I picked up "The Long Road to Extradition" and began reading.  I thought the novel was a dark subject yet offered laughter along the way.  It wasn't the least bit predictable.  I cried in several spots and I laughed out loud in others.  My heart ached and I wanted to cheer for Nicholas at the end.  Oops, maybe I gave too much away.  Anyway, I wrote down what I thought and emailed it to his people and I got the job.  Don't get me wrong.  I don't gush over most authors.  But this JR Stone...he's a helluva writer.  He's the kind that when you read his book, you'll be thinking about it days after and hoping that someone makes it into a movie. 

It's like I know Nicholas (the main character) personally.  And, I'm a better person because of it.  So here's to the beginning of the launch of "The Long Road to Extradition."  Just a freelance writer giving my opinions about this author I've never met and the stories he writes. 

JR will write some posts, but he will be busy getting the novel and publicity together with his management for the most part.  In any event, I am here to keep you, the reader abreast of all things JR Stone.  Questions?  drop him a line at AuthorJRStone@AOL.com .  Or better yet, visit him on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/AuthorJRStone , Twitter:  @AuthorJRStone

Til Next Time, The Freelance Writer